Less than a year after losing John Tavares, the New York Islanders re-signed star center Brock Nelson before he could even test free agency.

Nelson on Thursday agreed to terms on a $36 million, six-year contract through the 2024-25 season. Nelson scored 25 goals and set career highs with 28 assists and 53 points last season to help the Islanders make the playoffs.

"It was a bigger opportunity," Nelson said in a phone interview. "There wasn't a whole lot of talk about us being a very good team. A lot of people predicted us to be kind of at the bottom of the league. Kind of went out there to prove people wrong and a chip on our shoulder. And for me, that opportunity playing with great players throughout the year, I think just trying to step into those shoes and take advantage of that."